Sherman: No disappointment in late defections

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said Wednesday afternoon that he’s not going to “lose sleep” over the events of the last day concerning his signing class.

Apparently that makes him different than hundreds of Aggies who were upset that touted linebacker Corey Nelson switched his commitment to Oklahoma, and touted athlete Jarrett Fobbs switched his to LSU.

I asked Sherman at his signing day press conference if he was disappointed to have signed only one linebacker (Domonique Patterson), especially with the Aggies moving to a 3-4 under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter.

He said in no way, shape or form was he disappointed with his class of 23 (that had been 25 just a day earlier).

I’ve written several times that Sherman had pieced together a superb recruiting class based in big part on the commitments of Nelson and Fobbs. Superb slid to good Wednesday.

A&M’s class is heavy on offense — including three quarterbacks (Sherman said, too, that he’s switched Tommy Dorman from quarterback to tight end). A&M finished fifth nationally in total offense last season — and 105th defensively.

True to his roots, Sherman nabbed a couple of top prospects in offensive linemen Jake Matthews and Luke Joeckel. A&M really, really needs help on defense, however, and losing Nelson hurts. He had a great chance at starting as soon as this upcoming season.

Sherman took his time hiring a defensive coordinator, and in the end that might have wound up biting him in the rear concerning Nelson, who had very little time to get to know DeRuyter. That, and the Aggies still don’t have a linebackers coach after Joe Kines’ retirement.

Sherman still put together a good class, as well he should with everything Texas A&M has to offer.

“We took a huge step in our program with the signees we have in this class,” Sherman said. “This is a happy day for me.”